Lichen Simplex is a very itchy, patch or area,  of dry, thickened, skin.  It results from repeated rubbing, itching, and scratching of the skin. There may be a reason your skin was itchy in the first place that caused you to rub or scratch; but sometimes it is stress-related or a bad habit.  Itchy skin conditions that cause scratching can include eczema, psoriasis, allergic dermatitis, fungal infections, varicose veins.  

The itch can get very bad, especially at night, causing a patient to scratch, which will make the skin even itchier.  The itch-scratch cycle needs to be broken. Your skin specialist will prescribe emollients, anti-histamines and sometimes topical steroids to break the cycle and any underlying skin condition needs to be treated.  

Diagnosis is clinical and treatment gives excellent results.  However this condition has a tendency to recur.